Keep Your Draperies Fresh & Well-maintained When it comes to cleaning your draperies, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind. Certain kinds of materials can be cleaned in the washing machine, some require dry cleaning, and others may require a professional. Generally speaking, the most common materials, such as polyester blends, cotton, and related textiles, can simply go in the washing machine. Draperies that require dry-cleaning include: Silk Velvet Brocade Taffeta Chenille Drapes with a lining Insulated drapes It’s always a good idea to check the instruction manual or consult the manufacturer before you begin cleaning your draperies. This will also help you get a better idea of how the material should be dried (using a low or high setting), or air-dried by hanging them out. Vineyard Blind & Shutterhas been in thewindow coveringsbusiness for a long time, and we encourageour customersto use proper cleaning to maintain your beautiful window coverings. Regardless of how tidy you keep your home, any kind of drapery will eventually collect grime, dust, and accumulate stains. Here are some easy methods of cleaning you can use to keep you draperies fresh. Steam cleaning draperies while they are hanging up requires you to start at the top of the draperies with your steam cleaner and work your way down gently and slowly. Pressing too roughly on the material can be damaging. Steam cleaning your draperies should only be done if it is recommended by the manufacturer. And as with cleaning any window coverings, make sure to follow the instructions found on the fabric steamer. As most sheers are polyester, cotton, nylon, or a blend of any of these materials, your sheers will most likely be okay in the washing machine, and can be dried on a low heat dryer setting. If you tumble dry your sheers, make sure to always remove them immediately once the cycle is finished, as this will reduce wrinkling. Hang them up immediately after removing them, and you shouldn’t notice any wrinkles after they dry. This also goes for any draperies or curtains following a tumble cycle. If you have board-mounted valances, the best thing to do is use a vacuum cleaner. Start by finding a sturdy chair or stool so that you can reach the valances, but not so high that you can’t use your upholstery tool or vacuum cleaner. Starting at the top of the valance, vacuum from top to bottom, then vacuum across the valance. Maintain a good grasp of your material with one hand and vacuum with the other for a more thorough cleaning. A hand-held garment steamer may work for this project as well, but only if the material allows for it, so be sure to consult your care instructions beforehand. If you have draperies made from dark colored materials that can be machine washed, be sure to add about 1 teaspoon of vinegar in with them. This will keep the colors from fading or bleeding. In some cases, you can get away with freshening up velvet draperies without having to wash them or taken them to the dry-cleaners. This requires simply brushing them here and there using a chamois cloth dipped in hot water and thoroughly wrung out. If silk curtains require hand washing, make sure to wash them in lukewarm or cool water, and only apply mild dishwasher detergent. Swish your silk curtains gently - do not wring or twist! Draperies that require dry cleaning are typically those that have: Stitched-in pleats Swags Elaborate ornamentation In fact, even many window coverings that indicate the fabric is washable may still be better off taken to the dry-cleaners, as the linings and seams can shrink in the water. When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe. Having been in the window coverings business for such a long time,Vineyard Blind & Shutterencourages our customers to learn how to clean draperies to preserve their beauty and value. After all, the quality window coverings our customers have come to expect from us should be well-maintained. We provide window coverings inmany different locationsthroughout Southern California. Our products include: Draperies Blinds Shades Shutters For quality window coverings,contact us today! ...read more

Add Style & Beauty To Your Home Grommet draperies are simply draperies with a grommet top, which has metal rings that have been punched into the fabric, allowing them to slide along a rod. This makes them easy to open and close, and are particularly good for wide windows, or for sliding glass doors. Grommet draperies have a very contemporary style to them, which does not work particularly well with more traditional styles of decor. However, if you want to accentuating that modern look, they are the ideal product. Grommet draperies, andwindow coveringsin general, are a great way of adding elegance and style to your home or business. They are also great for controlling light and temperature, and can save you plenty of energy by keeping your home cool during the summer and warm during the winter.Vineyard Blind & Shutterhas a large selection of beautiful grommet draperies and other window coverings for you to choose from, and with so many different styles, colors, and texture, you are guaranteed to find something that works perfectly for your home. But first, you have to know how to install them. Fortunately, learning how to install grommet draperies is easy. Just follow these simple DIY instructions. In theory, fully installing your grommet draperies can be accomplished using nothing more than a screwdriver and pencil, however, Vineyard Blind & Shutter suggests pre-drilling using a cordless screwdriver or electric drill. It is also a good idea to read the instructions that are included with your product to get a better idea on how to install your grommet draperies, as there may be things specific for your them that you will want to keep in mind. Also, a choice will have to be made as to whether you are going to do an inside mount installation, or an outside mount installation, and should be decidedbeforeyou measure and order your grommet draperies. Here is what you will need on hand before beginning this project: Pencil Drill Screwdriver Hammer Tape Measure Step Ladder Grommet Draperies In the center of your window, align your measuring tape vertically, then lower the tape measure until it reaches the desired point where your grommet draperies will rest on or above the floor. Now, extend the tape above the window until it reaches the length of the panel, and mark that spot with your pencil. Next, measure out from the mark on both sides the distance of half your rod length. Now subtract 6 inches to account for finials and brackets, and place marks. Take your brackets and align the top of them onto your pencil marks, making two guide marks on each side through the bracket holes. Drill holes through the guide marks to place your anchor screws, which should be included with your grommet draperies. Tap the anchor screws into the holes you made to the point that they are flush with the surface of your wall. Generally, metal brackets come with an L-shaped section, used for mounting the bracket to the wall, and a second section for holding the drapery rod. Start with the L-shaped extension bracket, fixing the short end of the L to the wall using two screws. Now locate the metal bubble on the bottom of the rod holder section, and secure it into the groove located on top of the L-shaped extension bracket. You will be able to slide the rod holder section forward or backward along the groove in order to determine the position the distance from the wall your grommet draperies will hang. Once the position has been determined, tighten the section together using the adjustment screw. Now you will want to place the finial at the end of the rod, securing it with a clockwise turn of the adjustment screw. Slide the grommet drapery panels onto the rod and secure the other finial. Place the drapery rod carefully onto the brackets, securing it by tightening the adjustment screws on both sides. Now you can fan the material along the pole until it reaches the edges of your bracket. And there you have it! You have now successfully installed your beautiful new grommet draperies. Vineyard Blind & Shutterprovidesdraperies,blinds,shades, andshutterstovarious locationsin Southern California. If you are looking to improve your home or business with beautiful window coverings,contact us today! ...read more

Get The Ideal Window Coverings for Any Location In sunny San Diego,window coveringsare crucial for controlling light and heat in your home. The right window coverings are also an important part of setting the style and atmosphere of your home or business. When it comes to figuring out how to choose window coverings in San Diego, there are a number of important factors thatVineyard Blind & Shutterencourages you to keep in mind. One of the coolest aspects of window coverings is that they can actually be very helpful for energy saving purposes. Of course this is something that can be very cost efficient when dealing with the Southern California heat, and it makes for an extremely smart investment when you consider the long-term energy-saving effects. Figuring out how to choose window coverings in San Diego becomes a lot easier when you understand how certain types of window coverings can block the sun̢۪s heat and keep your home cool during the summer, and conversely, absorb heat and keep your home warm during the winter. Blinds: San Diego blinds can help lower heat gain by mitigating the amount of light and ventilation entering your home. Purchasing blinds that are made from highly reflective material is ideal for controlling light and heat. These blinds are typically made from bright materials, which reflect light. Conversely, black colors absorb light and thus switching to these kinds of blinds in the winter will help keep your home warm. No matter the season, blinds should be fit as snugly and tightly as possible for maximum insulation. Once your blinds are purchased and properly installed, the rest is accomplished simply by adjusting the slats. Draperies& Curtains: These can also be utilized for energy saving purposes. During the summer, you can use opaque options with white lining or backing. Doing so has been shown to reduce heat gain by over 30 percent! As with blinds, you will want to install these window coverings as close to the window as you can. And for even better energy saving potential, you can install a cornice at the top of your draperies, seal them at the sides, and use velcro or tape to overlap them in the middle. Shades: Learning how to choose window coverings in San Diego means knowing all of the different possibilities that come with window coverings. For example, you can purchase shades made from cellular shade fabric, which is a type of shade constructed with honeycomb-shaped cells. These can help you maximize insulation, and are excellent for guarding against UV light from the sun. Dual shade versions include both a reflective and absorbent side, which makes them a dynamic option for energy-saving purposes year round. Basic Roman shades are a good option for reducing solar heat gain during the summer, and Insulated Roman shades are great for retaining heat during the winter. Switching back and forth between these two options depending on the season is a good way of saving energy. Insulated InteriorShutters: When deciding how to choose window coverings in San Diego, consider that these shutters include rigid foam insulation, which makes them a great product for reducing heat gain during the summer, as well as reducing heat loss during the winter. This makes them very versatile window coverings for all seasons. Louvered Shutters: Because the slats involved with these work very similarly to blinds, these are also a great option for reducing solar heat gain during the summer. Heat-controlled Window Film: This product has the capacity to reflect up to 72 percent of sunlight, which will reduce heat gain as well as keep your home and furniture safe from harmful UV rays. Figuring out how to choose window coverings in San Diego means knowing which products are reflective and which are absorbent. Heat-controlled window film is very mirror-like, so it is very efficient at reflecting light and heat. Learning how to choose window coverings in San Diego simply means getting a grasp on the various options available with Southern California window coverings.Vineyard Blind & Shuttersuggests familiarizing yourself with the various options available, and tocontact ustoday for the quality products and services you need for maximum energy-saving efficiency. We serve manylocationsin the Southern California area, andcustomer satisfactionis guaranteed! ...read more